Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Update Process

What is an Update?
Updates include hotfixes, cumulative updates, and feature packs.

Installation Order
Feature pack:
A group of updates that relate to a feature area or group of functionality. Contains design changes. This diagram describes the order in which updates are applied in a test environment, and then applied in a production environment. 1. Apply updates to the database. 2. Apply updates to a single local AOS instance. 3. Apply updates to a single local client. (Compile, Synchronize, and get the environment running) 4. Deploy reports to the report server. 5. Deploy web parts to the Enterprise Portal server. 6. Deploy updates to any retail components. The differences in a production environment are: 1. Import the model store from the test environment to apply updates to the database. 7. Mass deploy client updates (optional).

Hotfix:
A fix or set of fixes that address a specific issue, problem, or customer scenario.

Cumulative update:
An update that contains all previous hotfixes to date.

Types of Hotfixes
To determine which type of update is in a package, download the package, and then extract contents and review them to determine which type of update it is.

Production environment
1

Database

Test environment
1

Database

Model Store

AOS

AOS

Client

Client

Report server Enterprise Portal Retail components

How can I tell if a binary update requires a schema update, and model store reinitialization?
The KB article will indicate that a hotfix requires a schema update, and that you should reinitialize the model store. You should assume that all cumulative updates require a schema update, and reinitialize the model store.
5

Report server

How can I tell if an application update contains a report or web part?

There is currently no simple way to tell if a hotfix contains a report or web part. We recommend that you assume that all cumulative updates, service packs, and feature packs contain reports and web parts, and re-deploy reports and Enterprise Portal. If you encounter an error after installing a hotfix, try deploying reports and web parts.

Enterprise Portal
Retail components

Clients (mass deploy)

Detailed Update Process

This diagram describes the update process in detail, in both the test and production environments.
Back up your business, model store, and retail databases Test environment Database/AOS/Client/EP/Retail Retail Install on retail components Run Retail Database Utility* Download an update

Update Tips and Tricks

Always update in a test environment first and run the Impact Wizard for application updates You can reduce the downtime of your production environment by fixing all code conflicts in a test environment, and identifying them early.

Steps with an asterisk (*) may not be required for all updates, or in all environments.

Make sure that you have the correct product version Most updates apply only to released versions of a product. Note: Many demonstration virtual machines run pre-release versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX, and cannot run updates.
If includes a database schema change, reinitialize the model store* Complete the Software Update Checklist

Binary
Run AxUpdate Determine which components to install on Install on components Restart the AOS

Install binary updates first, and if needed, reinitialize the model store before installing application updates If you do not reinitialize the model store, you will encounter many more errors in the Data Upgrade Cockpit. Do not skip the Software Update Checklist After you install an update, on the Model store has been modified form, select Start the software update checklist. If you must generate CIL, restart all AOS instances Install updates on all appropriate components (reports and web parts) It is difficult to tell whether an update contains modified or new reports, or web partswe recommend that redeploy reports and web parts with all CUs.

Database
Determine the hotfix type Run AXUpdate to install models Run the Impact Analysis Wizard (AXImpactAnalysis) Complete the Software Update Checklist

Reporting services Redeploy the default reports using Windows PowerShell*

Enterprise Portal
Run AXPortalUpdate to deploy EP updates*

Database
Export the model store using AXUtil or Windows PowerShell

Application

Client

Preprocessing

Import XPO files

Restart the AOS

Complete the software update checklist

Production environment

Database/AOS/Client/EP/Retail Retail Install on retail components Run Retail Database Utility*

Check to see whether all of your current hotfixes are contained in the most recent cumulative update or feature packif not, reinstall it If you have a recent hotfix that is not included in the cumulative update or feature pack that you are installing, it will be removed. Reinstall the hotfix after you have applied update.
If includes a database schema change, reinitialize the model store* Complete the Software Update Checklist

Binary

Run AxUpdate

Determine which components to install on

Install on components

Consider slipstreaming updates if you are doing a fresh install

If you are installing industry solutions, install them before installing updates To minimize downtime, consider importing the model store into a non-default schema in the production environment, and then switching it to be the default schema For information about using non-default schemas, read How to: Create, Drop, or Reinitialize a Model Store.

Restart the AOS

Database

AOS

Reporting services Redeploy the default reports using Windows PowerShell*

Enterprise Portal Run AXPortalUpdate to deploy EP updates*

Determine the hotfix type

Application

Import the model store using AXUtil or Windows PowerShell

Restart the AOS

Client Complete the software update checklist

Preprocessing

Import XPO files

Restart the AOS

Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 2013